Does Honey Increase Nitric Oxide? A Deep Dive into the Evidence

October 3, 2025 •

3 min read

While honey has long been celebrated for its health benefits and antioxidant properties, scientific research suggests it is not a reliable source for significantly boosting nitric oxide levels. The answer to 'Does honey increase nitric oxide?' is complex and depends on a nuanced understanding of its composition and how the body processes it.

Quick Summary

The relationship between honey and nitric oxide is complicated by its nutritional profile; while it contains antioxidants that can protect existing nitric oxide, its high sugar content can negatively affect production. For a more substantial boost in nitric oxide, alternative nitrate-rich foods are recommended.

Key Points

Limited Nitric Oxide Boosting: Honey is not a significant or reliable source for directly boosting nitric oxide levels due to its low nitrate content relative to its high sugar load.
High Sugar Content Inhibits Production: The high concentration of glucose and fructose in honey can increase insulin levels, which negatively affects nitric oxide production.
Antioxidants Protect Existing NO: Honey's antioxidants, including flavonoids, can protect existing nitric oxide from oxidative damage, enhancing its bioavailability rather than stimulating new production.
Better Alternatives Exist: For effective nitric oxide enhancement, consume nitrate-rich vegetables like beetroot, red spinach, and leafy greens, which contain significantly more dietary nitrates.
Anti-Inflammatory, Not NO-Boosting: Certain compounds in honey may inhibit inflammatory nitric oxide (iNOS), a separate process from boosting vasodilating NO that benefits blood flow.
Context Matters: While honey offers some health benefits, viewing it as a primary source for increasing nitric oxide is misleading, and more effective dietary strategies are available.

The Dual Nature of Honey's Impact on Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) is a crucial signaling molecule in the body, involved in processes such as regulating blood pressure, improving blood flow, and enhancing athletic performance. Its production in the body can be stimulated through two primary pathways: the L-arginine pathway and the dietary nitrate pathway. While honey contains some components that could theoretically aid in NO synthesis, other characteristics severely limit its effectiveness as a primary booster.

The Role of Antioxidants vs. Sugar

Honey's nutritional content offers a mixed message regarding nitric oxide. On one hand, it contains a variety of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which play a beneficial role in cardiovascular health.

Antioxidant Benefit: Antioxidants help protect the body's existing nitric oxide supply from oxidative stress, thereby increasing its bioavailability and lifespan in the system. This can have a positive, though indirect, effect on overall NO activity.

On the other hand, the high sugar content of honey presents a significant drawback.

Sugar's Negative Impact: Honey is composed largely of glucose and fructose. High consumption of sugar can lead to increased insulin production, and studies have shown that high levels of glucose can actually inhibit the production of nitric oxide. This counteracts any potential gains from the antioxidants and trace nitrates present in honey.

Comparison: Honey vs. Effective Nitrate Sources

For those seeking to increase nitric oxide levels through diet, there are far more effective and less sugar-laden options available. These foods deliver a much higher concentration of dietary nitrates, which the body can efficiently convert into NO.

Comparing Nitric Oxide Boosting Foods


Food Item	Primary NO Mechanism	Nitrate Content	Sugar Content	Overall Effectiveness for Boosting NO	[Citations]
Honey	Primarily antioxidant protection of existing NO, minor nitrate contribution.	Low (1-100 mg/kg).	High (around 80%).	Poor, largely negated by high sugar content.
Beetroot Juice	High dietary nitrate content.	Very High.	Moderate, but paired with beneficial nutrients.	Excellent.
Red Spinach	Exceptionally high dietary nitrate content.	Extremely High (5x more than beets).	Very Low	Excellent.
Leafy Greens	High dietary nitrate content.	High.	Very Low	Excellent.
Garlic	Activates nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).	N/A	Very Low	Very Good.

The Anti-Inflammatory Nuance

Another layer of complexity exists in honey's interaction with nitric oxide. There are different types of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes in the body. While endothelial NOS (eNOS) creates the vasodilating NO that is beneficial for blood flow, inducible NOS (iNOS) creates pro-inflammatory NO. Research has shown that some bioactive compounds in honey, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, can actually inhibit iNOS production. This anti-inflammatory effect is often beneficial, as it helps to reduce inflammation. However, it is distinct from boosting the type of NO that supports circulation and athletic performance.

Conclusion

When asking, does honey increase nitric oxide?, the evidence suggests that it is not a reliable strategy. While honey contains antioxidants that can protect the body's existing NO, its high sugar content and low nitrate levels make it an inefficient choice for increasing synthesis. For those looking to optimize nitric oxide levels for cardiovascular health or performance, focusing on a diet rich in nitrates from vegetables like beetroot, red spinach, and other leafy greens is the most effective approach. The potential benefits of honey are better understood in the context of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, rather than as a primary NO booster.

For a deeper look into dietary nitrate conversion and its effects on cardiovascular health, consult sources like the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honey is not necessarily 'bad,' but its high sugar content can counteract the nitric oxide-boosting effect of its minor components, making it an ineffective choice compared to nitrate-rich vegetables.

Foods significantly more effective than honey for increasing nitric oxide include beetroot, red spinach, other leafy greens like kale and arugula, garlic, and pomegranate.

Honey's antioxidants can support endothelial function and help maintain healthy blood vessels by protecting existing nitric oxide from oxidative stress. However, it is not a potent vasodilator like high-nitrate foods.

No, honey cannot replace beetroot juice for boosting athletic performance. Beetroot juice contains a much higher concentration of dietary nitrates, which significantly enhances nitric oxide levels and improves exercise endurance, a benefit not reliably provided by honey.

The glucose and fructose in honey can trigger an insulin response that, in turn, may limit nitric oxide production. This inhibitory effect of sugar largely outweighs the minor benefits from honey's other compounds.

The floral source and processing of honey can affect its antioxidant and nitrate content, but these variations are typically not enough to make honey a reliable nitric oxide booster. Darker, raw honeys tend to have higher antioxidant levels.

You do not need to avoid honey entirely, but you should not rely on it as a source of nitric oxide. For targeted NO boosting, focus your diet on low-sugar, nitrate-rich vegetables and use honey in moderation as a sweetener.